Outside of umpiring, what do you do for a living?

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"I worked in the Transportation Department for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs for 32 years before I retired 2 years ago December 31. Now I am enjoying the relaxing life of retirement and I highly recommend it to everyone."

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When and where did you begin umpiring?

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"I began umpiring in organized baseball in the spring of 1972 at the age of 15 for the Perryville Little League. But 2 years earlier, at age 13, I was hired to umpire girls softball for $5 per game by the Perryville American Legion for a girls softball league they were forming.  I guess you can say I have been umpiring for 48 years, counting all I have done."

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In what year did you join Harford County Umpires Association?

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"I joined HCUA in 2003."

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Where else have you umpired?

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"Besides HCUA/Ripken I umpired for CUA/Ripken when Ripken baseball was born in 2002.  Other places I've umpired inclue the Perryville Little League, which I still do from time to time; Cooperstown Dreams Park, which, including this year, will be 17 consecutive years, NEOMA/High School baseball; the Semi-Pro League at HCC; and, Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken in Cecil County and Delaware."

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What's been your proudest achievement in umpiring?

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"There have been a few proud moments in my career: I have umpired 12u Little League district, regionals and state all-star tournaments.  I've also umpired Cal Ripken World Series scrimmage games and consolation games. I have umpired Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken State Tournament and championship games."

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What was the strangest situation you've ever been involved with while umpiring?

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"I guess the strangest moment was when I had to get between my partner and head coach during a heated argument over a call.  I was trying to get them apart, kind of keeping the peace so that the argument would stop. I say this was the strangest because they were both about 3-4 inches taller and 50-75 pounds heavier then me. I felt like David between 2 Goliath giants, it made me wonder, "What the heck am I doing here?"

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Funniest heckle you've heard while umpiring?

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"I guess the funniest heckle I've ever heard was a woman fan who yelled out after a call I had made that she didn't like. She said, Hey blue, Stevie Wonder could call a better game then you!”

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Do you have a goal that you are hoping to achieve in 2019?

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"My goal for 2019 is the same every year, and that is to do the best I can in every game I am doing by giving 110%. Also, I'd like to do as many games as I can."

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What's the best advice you would give to a new umpire?

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"My advice to a young umpire is what I tell all young umpires that I work with:  relax, have fun and call your game."

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